Erman leaves Sivasspor for Galatasaray

Turkish champions Galatasaray AŞ have signed attacking midfielder Erman Kılıç on a free transfer from Süper Lig rivals Sivasspor.

The 29-year-old former İstanbul BB SK player has penned a two-year deal with an option for a further 12 months. A set-piece specialist, Erman featured in all but one of the Sivas side's 34 top-flight matches last term, providing 12 assists and scoring five goals, one of which was against his new employers in a 3-1 home defeat in December.

"Fatih Terim wanted me in his squad and I would like to thank him for this," he said of his new coach. "I am very happy to be joining a big community like Galatasaray. I don't want to let down the people who trust me. I hope to contribute to the future successes of Galatasaray."

Meanwhile, left-back Hakan Balta has agreed a new two-year contract, extending an association with the Istanbul club that began in August 2007 when the 30-year-old arrived from Manisaspor.

The Turkish international, part of Fatih Terim's squad that reached the UEFA EURO 2008 semi-finals, became a free agent for a short period when his previous terms expired at the end of May.